Steelers sign veteran sack artist during OTA's
While the Pittsburgh Steelers were active in free agency, they were unable to add quality veteran depth at the edge position. Well, per Adam Schefter of ESPN, that has officially changed with the Steelers agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with Markus Golden. Golden is a little longer in the tooth but the 32-year-old […]
While the Pittsburgh Steelers were active in free agency, they were unable to add quality veteran depth at the edge position.
Well, per Adam Schefter of ESPN, that has officially changed with the Steelers agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with Markus Golden.
Golden is a little longer in the tooth but the 32-year-old edge defender has been productive past age 30 and still has some snaps left as a designated pass rusher toward the end of his prime.
The veteran has experience playing as both a defensive end and on-ball linebacker, making him a versatile package player that can spell T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith as needed.
And while Golden may no longer be the double-digit sack artist he once was, the wily pass rusher played in all 17 games last season for the Cardinals, proving he's a durable commodity even in the latter stages of his career.
The Steelers knew they could ill-afford another season where they lost their top pass rusher and saw their defense and season as a whole go down the drain.
So when Pittsburgh left the busy portion of the offseason with only one addition in the passer rusher group by way of Nick Herbig in round four of the draft, some questioned their methods.
And no one can replace the level of play that T.J. Watt brings week-in and week-out, but the lack of depth was worrisome nonetheless. But if GM Omar Khan has proved anything thus far, its that he deserves the benefit of the doubt, and the addition of Markus Golden only hammers that home.
